Regression Guidelines For the Supporting Character

This round of the Competitive Match was broadcast by KHS SPORTS+, a channel specializing in Hunters and sports coverage. Thanks to simultaneous streaming across TV and online platforms, the replay and real-time chat logs were all still available.

After a long, restful sleep and a relaxed breakfast with Cha Sahyeon, I sprawled out on the couch and pulled up the replay on my phone.

Having participated in the match myself, there were limits to how much I could grasp of the overall situation in real time. It was necessary to rewatch and see what I missed—and how my actions came across to others.

A warning that the video was restricted to viewers over 19 popped up, followed by a countdown screen stating the broadcast would begin in ten minutes. The chat scroll was already exploding.

Chat:

- g?g?g?g?g?

- Who the hell picked this waiting music? It sucks.

- Came here to watch Circle get wrecked, lmao.

- Which team is Cover on?

- Circle.

- They said Circle has two S-ranks—is that for real?

- When does it start?

Already annoyed by the chaos of bait and questions flooding the chat, I dragged the playback bar forward.

[And now both teams are lined up in front of their Nexuses.]

The drone camera zoomed upward, giving a wide shot of the entire arena. The Nexuses were placed at the far left and right ends, and both Ronik and Circle had taken their positions in front of them.

Chat:

- Why does it sound like only Ronik has fans, lol.

- Circle's tiny, what do you expect?

- Of course they're unpopular, they suck.

- Ronik's fielding three attackers with assault records—who's cheering for them?

- Who cares? Circle's gonna get destroyed anyway.

- And how’s that the victims’ problem? lmao

[Countdown begins.]

[The Competitive Match starts now!]

[Ah! Cover Hunter—moves first as soon as the match starts!]

Right after the commentary, I appeared on screen—rushing ahead.

It also captured Ryu Sunghyun scrambling after me in a panic, and the Ronik guild members flailing and activating their skills in confusion.

Chat:

- ????

- No brakes, lol

- Is that guy insane?

- ?

- Does he have a death wish?

- Wow

- That’s beyond reckless, lmao

- He’s gonna lose an arm or something??

[A very reckless move.]

[Charging in like that is dangerous! He could get seriously hurt!]

[Does he have some kind of plan?]

As I remembered, golden beams of light created by Ryu Sunghyun followed me forward, covering my advance.

Chat:

- Ryu Sunghyun lmaoo

- Who’s really leading this match now?

- That merc’s doing whatever he wants

- Cover’s treating this like a game

- Did he come here on vacation?

- Poor Circle, jeez

- That guy’s not helping—he’s just more baggage

I remembered what happened next clearly. Ryu Sunghyun caught up beside me, we exchanged a few words, and then he unleashed a surge of brilliant light.

It was the first time he officially revealed his area attack skill.

The golden brilliance soared skyward and burst like fireworks. The round bloom of light spread across the sky like a meteor shower—sparkling and cascading down like rain.

[BOOM! BOOM! KRAKOOOM!]

The arena floor trembled with booming noise as dust clouds erupted.

Chat:

- Holy shit

- Wooooow

- That was insane

- So fucking cool

- So jealous of the people who saw that live lmao

- What the hell was that?

- Whose skill is that?

- RSH

- Circle’s Vice Guildmaster

- That S-rank’s ridiculous

- Why go to the countryside for meteor showers when Circle’s got this guy?

- You see how wrecked the ground is? That’s not sustainable.

- Sure, die happy after one meteor shower

- Wait... is Circle going to win??? Is this it??

- Nah, not yet

Even amidst the chaos, the camera tracked the players with stunning accuracy. Unsurprisingly, I was the one it focused on the most.

[And there it is! The first player is out—Kim Gihyuk from Ronik!]

[He’s unconscious with severe blunt trauma. Let’s look at the replay.]

[Second to go is Lee Hyunho, also from Ronik!]

[He trusted me, you know?]

[That’s why he came up with this strategy. You saw it all—why are you even asking? Oh, wait. Did your brain turn into a beast's?]

[What?! You little—!]

[Tch. Quiet.]

[And the third elimination: Jang Hyunil from Ronik!]

Chat:

- lmaooooooooooo

- Cover’s completely unhinged lol

- Weren’t all 3 of those guys the ones with assault records?

- Picked them off on purpose? Savage

- Ronik’s gonna be fuming

- Look at their faces, already losing it

- God-tier style

- Cringey but still badass ngl

- That’s Cover’s voice? Didn’t expect it to sound so normal

- That’s pure madness

- Ugh, what a smug tone

“Mmm...”

Of course they recorded my voice too. I did sound a lot more infuriating than I intended. I finally understood why Park Heeseok was so furious.

Anyway, the important part was still ahead. Up until now it had felt like watching a skit, but now I watched the screen seriously.

[Wooooaah! Park Heeseok! Park Heeseok!]

[The Ronik leader finally activates his skill!]

[It’s a full-on clash: Park Heeseok versus Ryu Sunghyun!]

[You pathetic little shit!]

[BOOM! WHAM! SMASH!]

[As expected of Park Heeseok!]

[He's way too strong. This might be impossible to counter.]

His skill activated, Park Heeseok’s body bulked up massively and charged Ryu Sunghyun.

With terrifying speed and brute force, he grabbed Ryu and smashed him into the ground over and over, finally tossing him far across the field like a ragdoll.

Chat:

- Yikes

- Holy crap

- Who said Circle would win again?

- That’s scary as hell

- That’s real predator behavior. Like a lion beating down prey with bare hands

- Ronik’s totally taking this

- CIRCLE OUT! CIRCLE OUT!

- Circle’s Vice Guildmaster is the problem—he’s too indecisive

- What, he came to the arena to sightsee?

- Circle doesn’t want to win lmao

- God-Heeseok! God-Ronik!

Then, Ryu Sunghyun, who had been down, slowly rose to his feet.

As he moved his gloved hand, a powerful light descended from above—beaming straight onto Park Heeseok’s head.

Thinking it was nothing, Park Heeseok sneered and stepped forward, but then a white smoke began rising from his skin.

[Sssssssss!]

[FUCK! AAAAAAGH!]

The sizzling sound was clear, and Park Heeseok writhed in agony as his flesh burned.

Ryu Sunghyun slashed the air again. A radiant halo illuminated him, and seven swords of light formed, flying at Park Heeseok under their master’s command.

Adorned with those swords and a shimmering aura like armor, Ryu rushed forward and swung his blade.

SLASH. Blood sprayed as Park Heeseok's massive form collapsed to the ground.

Even though I had seen it live, my heart still raced.

“His skills are always the coolest.”

The chat, which had briefly gone quiet, now exploded again.

Chat:

- ?????????

- What the hell was that???

- Holy shit

- Ryu Sunghyun won???

- No way this is real

- That was Ryu Sunghyun’s skill?

- Lightlightlightlightlight

- The light will burn you!

- Did Park Heeseok seriously lose??

- LIGHT CLEANSE!

- It’s not over yet!!

- Just... “light”

- Beatdown with light bat

- What’s Park even doing with that size?

- Where are the people who bet on Ronik now? lol

- “Still gonna win” yeah sure, keep telling yourself that

- Cover took out three guys—you never know

- Should we all invest in Circle stock now, brothers?

Regardless of the audience’s confusion, the match went on.

[Unbelievable!]

[Cover Hunter just blocked Park Heeseok with his body!]

[You damn mutt... you’re a dealer! Attacking a support, really?]

And then the most critical moment of the entire match arrived.

The camera caught Park Heeseok attempting to strike a support.

Privately, I hoped my voice wouldn’t be included—but no such luck.

Chat:

- ?

- What the hell?

- Ronik’s leader attacked a support??

- That’s crossing a line

- Wasn’t that support from Yesung?

- You outta your mind, Park Heeseok?

- Is he trying to tank his own guild’s rep?

- A support?? Really?

- That dude’s brain’s fried—Cover was right all along

- His shoulder got messed up bad, is he even okay?

- That looked painful...

The screen split—showing Ryu Sunghyun sprinting toward the Red Team’s Nexus and Park Heeseok being blocked by me.

[Could it be an Elimination Rush?! Neither team can afford to fall back now!]

[Five Ronik members block Ryu Sunghyun, and Cover Hunter is blocking Park Heeseok!]

[Cover Hunter doesn’t look good!]

[Who will reach the top of the Nexus first?!]

[Ohh! Ryu Sunghyun takes off at incredible speed! He’s unstoppable!]

With the commentators breathless from the pace, I calmly watched.

One man surged forward with resolve. The other shouted at me in desperation.

Even if Park Heeseok couldn’t see it, anyone watching from the outside could tell who would win.

That’s why I told him—he should trust his team.

And in the final scene, Ryu Sunghyun grasped the red jewel atop the Nexus.

[Wooooooaaaaaah!]

[Ryu Sunghyun did it!]

[Through every obstacle—he secures the Red Team’s jewel!]

[The Circle Hunters win this Competitive Match!]

[CIRCLE! CIRCLE! CIRCLE!]

Chat:

- Holy shit they actually won!!!

- CIRCLE!!!!

- Ryu Sunghyun popped off!!

- They really pulled it off

- SK SK SK!

- "Circlebungeul" lmaooo

- So who said Ronik was winning again? I can’t hear you

- Violence Guild fans, where you at?

- Take that

- Circle wins!

- Ronik brought an Elimination Rush and sat there losing, lmao

- God-Sunghyun

- Just... “light”

- Cover and Ryu Sunghyun carried the whole thing

- Useless Circle just crushed Ronik

- Violence Guild out! Support-attacking dealer out!

- So satisfying

Because of the dramatic victory, most viewers reacted warmly toward Circle.

With Ronik’s repeated blunders and Circle’s win intertwined, Circle’s public image was bound to improve—at least for a while.

“Heh.”

Whatever the method, seeing support for Circle made me feel good.

Smiling, I closed the video and browsed some reactions on SNS.

@nemne_hunter1

“A single line that will echo in the hearts of every support living in this era...”

#COVER #Cover #Circle

(video attached)

Replies: 12 Retweets: 3,000 Likes: 6,000

@0203_121

“Ffs, what other dealer puts their body on the line to protect a support like that?”

(photo attached)

Replies: 82 Retweets: 12,000 Likes: 8,000

@B_BB_b0_0b

Hunter Park Heeseok, who didn’t even hesitate to attack a support during a Competitive Match.

If Cover hadn’t stepped in, guess whose shoulder would’ve been pierced? The support’s, obviously ^^

Anyone still stanning Ronik or Park Heeseok must have brain rot. That guild is overflowing with violent thugs.

If I see any Ronik/PHS content on my TL from now on, instant block.

(video attached)

Replies: 7 Retweets: 1,100 Likes: 425

Despite all the digging I did, there wasn’t much content specifically about Ryu Sunghyun. That part was a bit disappointing.

I was still skimming through reaction clips and social media when I felt it—warmth pressing against my chest. Someone was close.

“Hey, squirt.”

Cha Sahyeon had quietly crept over and now laid down right on top of me. As soon as I tilted my head, that round little head of his filled my view, and I chuckled, setting my phone down.

“You did everything I asked?”

“Mmhmm.”

“You cleaned up your dishes?”

“Yep.”

“Changed clothes?”

“Uh-huh.”

Still lying on top of me, he lifted his upper body a little to show off what he’d changed into.

From his bedtime pajamas, he had switched into the T-shirt and pants I’d bought him.

Looking up with an expectant gaze, Cha Sahyeon seemed to be awaiting praise.

“Good job.”

It was obvious what he wanted, so I patted his head. His ears turned red instantly, and he grinned with satisfaction.

Seeing him get so happy over a single compliment—a little pat—made me smile as well.

If I’d ever had a younger sibling, I imagined they’d be just like this.

And the moment that thought crossed my mind, my heart went cold.

“......”

Cha Sahyeon had lowered his head again and didn’t notice my lips tightening.

I closed my eyes, absentmindedly patting the back of the child clinging to me like a little koala.

“If only... you weren’t that thing.”

The fact that the Seed of Catastrophe had taken root in Cha Sahyeon didn’t matter much to me anymore.

I pitied the pain he had endured because of it, the future he could never have—one where he got to live like a normal kid.

But that didn’t mean I could accept everything about him.

He was the being who had killed the people I cared about. Even if everything had changed—if that being had turned into a smiling child in my arms—those hellish memories still haunted me.

“...Stop thinking about it.”

Replaying that day in my head did no good.

It was better to push it aside than risk souring the mood in front of him.

Instead, I focused on more immediate concerns.

The unexpected match with Ronik had ended in victory, thankfully, but that didn’t mean I could relax.

Just as Circle’s future had changed, so had Ronik’s.

Ronik had just been humiliated in a very public loss—and I had no idea how they’d respond.

“And they even committed the worst mistake—attacking a support?”

If it had been a regular guild member, they could’ve just kicked him out and done damage control. But since it was Park Heeseok, the guildmaster, the hit to Ronik’s image would be massive.

At the same time, the sudden spotlight on Circle was a cause for concern.

Public attention like this often brought more scrutiny, more incidents.

I couldn’t help but worry if the softer members of Circle could handle it all without me.

“Phew...”

No matter how I looked at it, all I could do was sigh.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Cha Sahyeon looking up at me, puzzled.

And then it happened.

“......!”

His shoulders jerked. Cha Sahyeon suddenly shot upright.

The peaceful air in the room vanished instantly.

All that remained were his piercing green eyes, now icy and alert.

“Hey, squirt?”

I began to sit up as well, alarmed by the drastic change.

WHOOOSH!

A black shadow burst out from Cha Sahyeon’s body, spreading overhead like a shield.

CRASH! CLANG!

Glass shattered with a sharp noise. Something had slammed into the shadow barrier he had created.

Without hesitation, Cha Sahyeon leapt off the couch with nimble reflexes. Black wisps curled around both his hands.

“What the—Cha Sahyeon!”

Dark shadows churned through the room.

Through the broken window, I saw someone stepping into the office.

Cha Sahyeon, like me, sensed the intruder and released a wave of killing intent, preparing to strike.

It was the first time I’d seen him this willing to fight.

Was it because this office was our safe zone—his sanctuary?

I swallowed dryly. Should I stop him... or let him go?

I knew I had to keep him from falling into negative emotions, but I didn’t know the enemy’s strength.

If I stepped in and it backfired...

“Wait! Cha Sahyeon!”

While I hesitated, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° he wrapped himself in shadow and dashed forward.

At times like this, I cursed the fact that I couldn’t freely activate my S-rank form.

Just as I bit my lip and tried to run after him—

BEEP! BEEP!

A shrill, piercing sound.

The moment I recognized it, the status window popped up.

Ding!

《Skill: Screeching Melody (S-Rank) Activated! (Caster: ???)》

《Debuff forcibly applied due to skill effect!》

《Attack Power - Decreased (Duration: 30s)》

《Attack Speed - Decreased (Duration: 30s)》

《Movement Speed - Decreased (Duration: 30s)》

《Debuff stack detected. Additional 1% damage per stack.》

“Wait... this skill... no way—!”

That’s when I realized who the attacker was.

I grabbed Cha Sahyeon by the back of the neck and shouted:

“Stop playing—Kwon Seoyul!”

The harmonica stopped abruptly from behind the shadows.

Holding the now-thrashing Cha Sahyeon in my arms, I continued.

“Squirt, you need to cancel this. Now.”

“But...”

“Now.”

After I repeated myself firmly, he hesitated, casting glances at me, then slowly began to shrink the shadows.

What remained writhed like octopus limbs behind him, but I didn’t stop him—he was still on edge.

Once the shadows lifted, the intruder was fully visible.

He was tangled in an overturned chair and table, grinning as he spun his harmonica between his fingers.

“Hey, hyung. Long time no see.”

“Ha...”

Soft peach-colored hair in disarray, catlike upturned eyes, and a shirt left wide open across the chest.

Just looking at his face gave me a splitting headache. I let out a deep sigh and held my forehead.